Sign



April 27, 1937. E. H. PENDLETON SIGN Filed July 2, 1935 FIE J INVENTOR. fo w/n /7. pend/e1 0/7 BY m H II! ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 27, 1937 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE SIGN Application July 2, 1935, Serial No. 29,493

, 3 Claims.

My invention relates to signs of the type shown in my co-pending application Serial No. 741,917, filed August 29, 1934, and entitled Illuminated sign. In such application there is provided a housing within which is a linear source of light, such as a gaseous discharge tube, which illuminates a plate having suitable indicia thereon.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved sign.

Another object of my invention is to provide a sign in which a shield is established over the source of light and is constructed in such a way as to be indistinguishable from the background,

I: especially when the sign is illuminated.

' Another object of my invention is to provide a sign in which an inexpensive shield is provided for the source of light.

The foregoing and other objects are attained no in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a sign constructed in accordance with my invention, as it appears when illuminated.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section the plane of which is indicated by the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a front plate for the sign of my invention, as it appears without illumination.

Fig. 4 is a cross-section on a very much enlarged scale of the front plate of Figs. 1 and 3, the plane of section being indicated by the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

In its preferred form the sign of my invention includes a casing providing a background for (a source of light such as a gaseous discharge tube situated within the casing, and a sign plate over the front of the casing to receive suitable indicia.

With the front plate is incorporated a shield, preferably composed of an almost infinite number of fine spots or dots of a coating such as paint, graduated in density from a maximum value substantially in registration with the source of light and gradually fading to a minimum value away a therefrom.

The sign illustrated in the drawing as an example preferably comprises a casing 6 fabricated of metal or other suitable material and of any convenient shape. While in my copending application I have shown a casing which is substantially V-shaped in vertical cross-section, the present one exemplifies a variation and is approximately rectangular in section. It is provided on its forward periphery with an inturned 55 flange 1 against which a front or sign plate 8 of glass or comparable transparent material is situated, although a gasket 9 is preferably interposed therebetween. A closure ring I I of flanged construction overlies the plate 8 and secures the assembly together.

Within the casing is situated a source of light l2, such as a linear, luminous tube [3, preferably of the gaseous discharge or neon type. The tube preferably extends transversely across the casing B in a straight line and is situated a slight 1 distance behind the plate 8. Light emanates from the entire periphery of the tube and some of it passes directly through the transparent plate 8, while some of the light is first reflected from the interior of the casing 6 and then passes through the plate 8. The casing 6 is preferably provided with a light reflecting and diffusing coating, such as flat paint, for the purpose of returning light to and through the plate 8. On its inner surface, preferably, the plate 8 is treated to establish any suitable indicia l6, such as the word illustrated. This can be done by making a dark background or field, with the letters of a lighter shade or transparent, or, alternatively, the letters may be dark and their surroundings light or transparent.

Under any conditions, it is very desirable that the linear source of light [3 be in effect blended with its background, so that the sign as a whole will present to an observer in front of the plate 8 an appearance of a uniform intensity of illumination. Without some special means being provided to produce this desired result, the sign shows an exceedingly bright or light stripe where the tube I3 is situated, and darker spaces on either side thereof.

In accordance with my present invention, I preferably provide on the reverse or inner side of the plate 8, adjacent the situation or location of the tube l3, 2. treated area ll or strip which is composed preferably of almost innumerable dots or particles of pigment, such as paint, adhering to the inner face of the plate 8 with a maximum density as at I 8 where they are in substantial registration with the tube I 3, and gradually decreasing in density as at l9 from the dense central area toward the edges of the stripe where they are farther away from the tube l3. The effect of this is to provide a graduated mask for the plate 8 immediately adjacent the tube 13, with more permeable portions of the mask overlying the more remote portions of the reflector 6, so that to an observer there is a uniform intensity of illumination of the entire sign.

overlain by the pigment l6 which outlines or formulates the indicia.

I claim:

1. A sign comprising a casing, a gaseous discharge tube source of light in said casing, a light transmitting indicia plate on said casing overlying said source of light, and a pigment shield on said plate in registry with said linear source of light and gradually varying in density from a maximum adjacent the center thereof to a minimum away from the center thereof.

2. A sign comprising a casing, a gaseous discharge tube for illuminating the interior of said casing, a light transmitting indicia plate on said casing overlying said tube, and a shield on said plate of maximum density in registration with said tube and of progressively lesser density away therefrom.

3. A sign comprising a light reflecting casing, a linear gaseous discharge tube affording a source of light within said casing, a light transmitting "indicia plate on said casing and overlying said shield. being in registry with said source of light,

and means on said plate and in contact with said shield'for providing indicia.

EDWIN H. PENDLETONH 20 

